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Iwona Kerr
Experienced Financial Services Professional
London
Summary
- Experienced business operations leader with an eye for strategic clients and internally oriented solutions within the financial service industry. Demonstrable ability to engage across all levels and build sustainable relationships.
- Proven problem solver with a track record of delivering complex high-profile programs to benefit clients and win new business.
- Accomplished people manager skilled in building high performing operational teams and driving positive outcomes.
- Proactive & self-motivated strategic planner, skilled in regulation, Sustainability, and global finance. Passionate advocate for equality in the workplace, extensive experience in building network and running cross- regional development programs for women
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
3
3
Certificates
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Tech & Ops Sustainability Director
BlackRock Advisors
London
03.2021 - Current
- Designed and executed strategy to transform EMEA operating platform to comply with TCFD and SFDR Level 2 and EU Taxonomy regulations. Focused on an end-to-end operating model across Data, Onboarding, Reporting, Regulatory implementation, and commercial needs.
- Led cross-functional and cross regional connectivity and represented T&O function in the firm-wide Sustainability Program.
- Partnered with business leads to address functional/control gaps and implement changes to ensure compliance with industry regulations.
- Led KYC/ DDQ program across our distributing partners in UK and Europe, optimizing end to end process and improving impact on Client.
- Managed the recruitment pipeline and drove internal initiatives focused on connectivity, training, development, and DE&I.
Head of Client Experience - UK Insurance
BlackRock Advisors
London
10.2017 - 03.2021
- Partnered with UK Insurance Sales team to redefine organizational structure by stripping service activities from sales resulting in increased revenues (40% increase in first year) and improved client experience.
- Established support model for strategic clients, acting as escalation lead for entire book of business. Designed and implemented complex operational framework and scaled it to other clients in pipeline.
- Successfully delivered enhancements to BLK's trading cycle to benefit Clients and meet industry demand, positioning BLK as a leader for niche investment solution.
- Collaborated internally to drive service transformation through automation tools (Gateway, Client Order Management etc.).
Client Services Manager - European Clients
BlackRock Advisors
London
01.2014 - 10.2017
- Managed key strategic clients in Nordic and CEE region, driving client -centric solutions, optimizing processes and enhancing cross platform capabilities to win new business.
- Established performance and service goals holding associates accountable for individual performance across teams in Europe.
- Led transformation of operating model in Europe by transitioning key distributors onto a ProService platform, re-negotiating transition fees, increasing efficiency and mitigating risk.
- Proactively led a review of translation vendors in EMEA resulting in $500k cost saving per annum iShares and improved quality and efficiency through automation.
Manager of Fund Documentation and Listings Teams
BlackRock Advisors
London
06.2012 - 12.2014
- Managed team of 12 focused on end to end cross-registrations of new funds (UCITS, non-UCITS & ETFs) across Europe, Latin America and APAC working with local banks and foreign stock exchanges ensuring timely accessibility of new products.
- Worked with Compliance to ensure business plans aligned with UCITS IV Directive and MIfID changes while mitigating risks.
- Oversaw relationships with internal and external clients, legal counsel offices, translators, distributors, regulators, and exchanges.
- Partnered internally to migrate funds registration data onto the Aladdin platform, designed control framework mitigating risk to BlackRock.
- Achieved high staff morale and retention through effective communication, prompt problem resolution and proactive supervisory practices in high growth period for Blackrock.
Operations Manager - Fund Documentation
BlackRock Advisors
London
06.2010 - 06.2012
- Led implementation of UCITS IV directive across circa 2000 asset classes and 28 jurisdictions, successfully passing the audit in first year.
- Developed and motivated the team by designing smart sprints to meet regulatory deadlines and overcoming internal complexities.
- Partnered with external consultants to capture full scope of the program and designed an internal reporting solution with strong control framework.
- Designed governance framework for the KIID Committee and respective Boards managing communication with stakeholders.
Implementation Manager - Global Custody
Citigroup
London
10.2007 - 06.2010
- Managed relationships with largest custody clients for fund launches, liaising with agents globally to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Oversaw implementation lifecycle processes based on client needs, regulatory requirements, and customer demand.
- Collaborated with Product Development Committee responsible for capturing all changes in local legislation.
Tax Supervisor, Wealth Management
Citigroup
London
05.2006 - 10.2007
- Managed a team of six, providing on the job training, monitoring, support & reporting their daily output to the Tax Manager.
- Responsible for the annual UK Retail 1099 Reporting & 1042 Wealth Management reporting. Provided administrative support to team of wealth management experts creating advice-based solutions.
Education
Master of Arts - International Finance
02.2005 - 07.2007
Modules included Corporate Financial Management, Global Financial Markets, Quantitative Analysis, Business Economics & Financial Risk.
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management And Marketing
10.1999 - 07.2002
Skills
Change management, compliance, risk management, regulatory change, client service and transformation, process optimization
Relationship building, strategic thinking, team and horizontal leadership, coaching and development
Certification
Investment Management Certificate
Interests
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
CFA Sustainability -candidate
05-2023
Tech & Ops Sustainability Director - BlackRock Advisors
03.2021 - Current
Fellow of the Leaders Plus Social Enterprise
01-2019
Head of Client Experience - UK Insurance - BlackRock Advisors
10.2017 - 03.2021
Client Services Manager - European Clients - BlackRock Advisors
01.2014 - 10.2017
Investment Management Certificate
11-2013
Manager of Fund Documentation and Listings Teams - BlackRock Advisors
06.2012 - 12.2014
Operations Manager - Fund Documentation - BlackRock Advisors
06.2010 - 06.2012
Implementation Manager - Global Custody - Citigroup
10.2007 - 06.2010
Tax Supervisor, Wealth Management - Citigroup
05.2006 - 10.2007
London Met University - Master of Arts, International Finance
02.2005 - 07.2007
Academy of Economics - Bachelor of Arts, Business Management And Marketing
10.1999 - 07.2002